Objective: To assess the effectiveness of
olanzapine for treating schizophrenia and to assess if olanzapine
promotes a better quality of life than first-generation
antipsychotics (FGAs).

Method: Multicenter, naturalistic, randomized
controlled study, comparing olanzapine with FGAs, at
hospitalization and during a 9-month follow-up. Outcome assessors
were blind to the allocated drug. The dose of antipsychotic was
determined by doctors according to their clinical practice
routines. Data collection was performed from April 1999 to August
2001.

Conclusion: Compared with FGAs, olanzapine has
advantages in terms of improvements of negative symptoms and
quality of life. It is also associated with fewer incidences of
tardive dyskinesia and greater increases in weight and BMI. These
findings are highlighted by the naturalistic approach adopted in
this trial.